The grandson of Sonny Ramadhin, Kyle Hogg initially struggled to fulfil his promise after making his Lancashire debut in 2001 before earning himself a solid career. The news of his early retirement, at the age of 31, was therefore received with great sadness. Diagnosed with a severe back problem, Hogg was forced to hang up his boots less than 12 months after being named Player of the Year for his part in Lancashire's 2013 promotion campaign.

In the early days, there was talk of an England one-day call, so much so that when James Anderson was selected in 2002-03 it was joked that they'd named the wrong player. But despite an Academy place that winter, Hogg's name slipped well off the radar as a series of injuries hampered his progress.

A nippy, rather than quick, seamer, it was only after the arrival at Old Trafford of former England coach Peter Moores that Hogg began to realise his potential. Indeed, in the title-winning 2011 season he was a revelation, missing the first five games through injury yet ending the season with 50 Championship wickets and 365 runs batting at No. 10. He announced his return to the side against Hampshire in May with a career-best 7 for 28, taking 11 wickets in the match, and went on to take two more five-wicket hauls and make two half-centuries with the bat.

He fared less well in 2012, taking only took 18 wickets from 13 matches, but made several more useful contributions with the bat, including two half-centuries, to finish with an average of 32.40, making an argument to be seen almost as an allrounder, rather than merely an above-average tailender. The wickets came far more regularly in 2013, becoming the team's leading Championship wicket-taker with 60 scalps.
ESPNcricinfo staff